Mud snails

Tiny New Zealand mudsnails have overtaken creeks and streams in the Santa Monica Mountains.

TROY HARVEY/THE STAR Wildlife ecologist Katy Delaney of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area points out several New Zealand mudsnails while walking along a stream in Solstice Canyon. The mudsnails are a nonnative species.

Ventura County Star

TROY HARVEY/THE STAR Wildlife ecologist Katy Delaney of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area holds three New Zealand mudsnails while walking along a stream in Solstice Canyon. The mudsnails are a nonnative species.

Ventura County Star

TROY HARVEY/THE STAR Wildlife ecologist Katy Delaney of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area shows a native snail next to the nonnative New Zealand mudsnail along a stream in Solstice Canyon.

Ventura County Star

TROY HARVEY/THE STAR While walking up a stream in Solstice Canyon, wildlife ecologist Katy Delaney of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area stops to check a small rock for New Zealand mudsnails.